Wednesday, April 1, 2015

National Poetry Month: Celebrating the self-expression of the DC SCORESTeam!

Happy National Poetry Month!

As you know, poetry and self-expression is a huge part of the DC SCORES fall season -- culminating with the District's largest Poetry Slam! in December. The Slam! demonstrates the creativity of the 1,500 youth we serve.

Now, this April, we are highlighting you -- our supporters, coaches, alumni, partners, staff and board. Check back daily for a new poem. And if you haven't yet, write a poem or haiku about anything -- that's the beauty of poetry -- and send it to Jake Lloyd at jlloyd@americascores.org.

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April 30Sleep
One of those things others discuss casually
As if it's no big deal
taken for granted.
Was I that way once?
Hard to remember in the daze of exhaustion.
An uninterupted night
seems but a dream.
Parenthood.

Bethany Rubin Henderson
Executive Director

April 29Policy Analyst Haiku
After-school programs
Exploring, Growing, Teamwork
Learning at its best

April 28The Other Lincoln’s Address
I believe in those children
Who step on stage and deliver
The spoken charge of defibrillator paddles
In a school auditorium;
Who in their way outclass the strikers they idolize,
Though theirs may be household names
Known in their house only,
Those poets
Who with a finish, cool as you like,
Find the back of the safety net
And mend communities.
Their dreams tug on our sleeves
With the persistence of turf and infill of artificial fields
That cling to us long after “Good game.”
I believe because when the questions still echo
In the hollow of my head
For months and years to come,
“What are you a part of? What do you help make?”
I cannot put my pencil down;
My time has no price.

(Credit to Madalin and Lincoln Middle School for the quote)Philippe MonfistonDC SCORES volunteer
April 27Snapshot of Spring
Days fill with color
Inspiration has arrived
Excitement blossoms

Poised behind the lens
It's time to create again
Capture each moment

Kara DunfordFormer DC SCORES Intern

April 24National Poetry SLAM!

Rachel KlepperWriting Coordinator April 23Soccer in Belize (author presently living in Mayan village in Belize)
On a spring morning,
we kick a soccer ball together
flip flops, no shoes, twenty kids knock around
with dogs, pigs, and a lizard

hundreds of miles away

on a bright, new field
girls lace up cleats
strap on shin guards

same rules
same play
we call it football, you call it soccer

all around the world

we
start the game

Molly FesslerFormer DC SCORES intern

April 22 Let's All Save The World Together
Do you like nature?
Do you like playing outside?
Do you like hiking or watching the beach tides?

Go green, plant gardens, plant bushes or even a rose
And bring back that fresh natural smell to your nose.
Save electricity and cut off the lights and bring back those peaceful and cooler nights.
Don’t waste the water we need to drink
So please don’t let those precious drops go down the sink!

April 20 Fresh Start Haiku!
Spring break is over?
So what I say! DC SCORES
Back out there today!

Josh FreedholmVolunteer & Outreach CoordinatorApril 16Hitched
Rituals, nuptials, untraditional traditions
Never been one to stop doing my own thing
But now it’s ours, community property but not like Monopoly
The time is approaching and everything is in motion
But I am still thinking about eloping…

Dontai SmallsDC SCORES Board Member

April 15The Time is Here
When the grass gets that fresh smell
And the ground is soft
that's when I know
the best time is here

It's soccer in the spring
and spring that runs into the summer
games that start in the morning
but won't end until the night

This is what we wait for
this is what we live for
My cleats are ready and my bag is packed
who's ready to play?

Zaryn JenningsFormer DC SCORES Intern

April 14Seeing/Being You
It’s been said
You don’t get a second chance
To make a first impression.

And in that first impression,
Others create an opinion of you.

Sometimes you get a chance
To make a second impression
And in doing so do you confirm that opinion?
Or change it?
Or give more context to put a different spin on it?

April 13An Ode to the Song Stuck in my Head
i’m humming to a melody, unheard
while lyrics, bounce between
my trains of thought,
pounding to get out,
but the song remains
stuck.
this sticky tune. This earworm.
Those bothersome
guitar riffs and drum solos fill
empty space in my head,
space I’m sure was designed for math.
or state capitals.
Or proper English grammar.
but now act as glue traps
for songs, itching for a chance
to be heard, played aloud
but scrubbing my brain
with the verses and chorus
only allow the stain of this music to lock in.
these vocals and bass lines have
taken up residence in my brain
when all I want is some quiet headspace.
or at least a new song.

April 8Goalie
Goalie Jersey on, cleats tied, shin guards tight,
I’m ready.
Between the posts, I mark my spot,
I create a wall of stone.
As the wind howls, the whistle blows,
The ball is kicked.
I am the last line of defense,
My goal is to stop yours.
Diving, jumping, reaching for the ball,
Only the wind moves the net.
A shot is made,
A moment of silence occurs.
My job stays the same,
I am the defender of the net.
And with every goal I save, I rule the world.

Liselot KoenenDC SCORES Intern

April 7Soccer Ball
Sphere of black and white
Kids within a team unite
Smiles and laughs so bright

Kelly DragelinDC SCORES Board Member

April 6Dear Exceptional
Just in case your mother forgot to tell you,
You're special.
And even if your father isn't around to remind you,
you’re beautiful.
You are exceptional enough to defy all stereotypes and to contradict all statistics
You are exceptional enough to devise creations that can’t be duplicated.
They only tell you you’re stupid because they see a light within you, they can’t comprehend
And they only pump negative images into your head to block your exceptional vision.
You see, you have a fire inside of you that only offends those reluctant to be different.
They know and you know that you operate from a platform where your potential is limitless.
So keep your focus and your vision, and your strength will lead you down a path where opportunities are endless.
Now don’t get it twisted, you’ll land in some valleys difficult for you to climb out of but they’ll prove to make your peaks more rewarding.
And you’ll run into some roadblocks and obstacles but you have what it takes to get around it.
And if those roadblocks are too wide, and those valleys too deep, don’t be afraid to ask for assistance.
Because you’re way too exceptional to let anything stop you from fulfilling your purpose.